Joanna Fantozzi

Floyd Cardoz — the Mumbai-born chef known for his modern Indian cuisine and groundbreaking restaurants Tabla and Bombay Bread Bar — has reportedly died from complications due to novel coronavirus, according to Indian publication Scroll.in.

Cardoz, 59, is the first high-profile chef to die from the virus that has become a global pandemic. He was admitted to the hospital in New York City on March 18 after feeling feverish, following a trip to Mumbai earlier in March, according to a statement Cardoz posted on Instagramon March 18.

The prolific chef’s hospitality group, The Hunger, Inc. released a statement on March 17 confirming his hospitalization after he came down with coronavirus symptoms including as viral fever.

Cardoz started his career working at Union Square Hospitality Group with Danny Meyer, making a name for himself after opening New York City fine-dining, three Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Tabla, and later El Verano Taquería and North End Grill. Tabla later closed in 2010. More recently, Cardoz had opened Bombay Bread Bar: a transformation of his former New York City fine dining restaurant, Paowalla, into a vibrant Indian soul food bar that became well-known for its house-baked bread. Bombay Bread Bar closed in the summer of 2019 after just 18 months in business.

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Cardoz also operated three restaurants in Mumbai: the Bombay Canteen and O Pedro, as well as his recently opened Indian dessert shop, Bombay Sweet Shop.

As news broke of Cardoz’s death early on Wednesday morning, fellow chefs, personal friends, and fans of the chef’s culinary achievements began posting eulogies and memories on Twitter, including Danny Meyer, who was Cardoz’s first major employer in the restaurant industry:

Nation’s Restaurant News has reached out to Floyd Cardoz’s team for a statement.

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